Summer

Last week we let you in on the best museum memberships for families, and now we're exploring more of New York City's great institutions--gardens and zoos. Learn about membership options, what perks and extras are offered, and everything else you need to know to figure out if it's worth it for you and your family. 

All Aboard!  Your train loving kid will flip over these trains--eight miles of miniature railway track, old fashioned train trips, a ride through the Allaire State Park and kid sized trains in parks.  Put away the that Thomas video and check out the real deal--bring your child (and your inner child) to the trains of New Jersey.

I love summer streets. I wish every day was a summer street day. In fact I think they should permanently ban cars from one central avenue and the Financial District every day of the year. Seriously, even if you're making a gazillion dollars, you can walk three blocks to get into your limo to be driven home. I'm doing you a favor.

Off the soap box, back to the fun. Even though Summer Streets are only for a couple of days a year (today being the last one for this year), they are a great way to get kids out biking, scootering, or skating with no traffic to worry about. Finding a safe place for kids to bike can be a challenge in New York City where even the bike paths can be so crowded it gets a little hairy.

Although I've written about my favorite place to bike ride with kids in NYC before, summer streets is definitely a convenient and easy way to go if you catch one of the few dates. But luckily in addition to Summer Streets, there's also "weekend Walks" a program in all five boros closing streets off from cars to allow recreational activities. Hopefully this movement will continue to grow.

In the meantime here are a couple of tips to making Summer Streets safer and more fun with kids:

If you are looking for a free and fun place to take to the water this summer, look no further than Union City, NJ.  Not only does the city boast one of New Jersey's best sprinkler parks, the newly opened Firefighter's Memorial Park is a dream come true for kids of all ages looking to keep cool during the hot summer days.

One request I hear frequently is for more stuff about things to do with kids in Queens. Every time I hear it I think, "Yeah, I want that too!" Luckily, I discovered Leni and her great blog, Queens Mamas. Leni has agreed to keep us up to date on all things Queens starting today with some free Shakespeare performances in Queens parks. Thanks, Leni!

Hopefully the rain will stay away this weekend cause there's lots of outdoor fun to do with the kids in NJ this weekend. From the State Fair, to an Historical Farm, horse races, a pond adventure and even a new swimming pool. Check it out.

If you're heading to the beaches of Long Island, there's a great new site to check out. KidMontauk gives parents the inside skinny in everything you need to know to have a blast on and off the beach in Montauk, NY. Heather D'Agostino, the site's founder offered to fill us in on her Top Ten Things to Do with Kids in Montauk. Thanks, Heather!

Is it August already? We may say this every year, but this year it really feels like the summer is just passing us by. If you haven't already, start (or continue!) taking advantage of all the free, fun and only-in-NYC unique activities that are going on in all of the five boroughs, every day. And with a free performance of Willy Wonka, African and Caribbean dance, an evolutionary adventure and animal discoveries, this weekend is as good as any to get out there and start exploring.

They don't call it The Garden State for nothing. New Jersey is a great place to go to pick your own summer fruit and veggies. Whether it is strawberries, peaches, or peas, you can find plenty of u-pick farms in New Jersey.  Picking your own produce is great thing to do, especially with kids. Not only does it help you eat locally with farm fresh produce, but it's important for kids to learn about where their food comes from and make that connection with the farm. Plus it's lots of fun.

The NJ picking season starts end of May for strawberries with other berries and peaches coming in season end of June through end of July and apples, pumpkins and other vegetables available through the Fall.  Here are some of our favorite farms close to New York City for picking your own fruits and vegetables. Click through to each u-pick farm to find out what they have ripe for u-pick now, plus hours and directions, but also call ahead before you go to make sure they aren't picked out.

There is another great Summer vacation spot out East on Long Island, and it is a great place to visit for a weekend or a long day with your family. Thanks again to our friend Jill for sharing her ideas on the can't miss spots in Sag Harbor.

Sag Harbor is a great little Hampton town that doesn’t feel like you are in “the Hamptons”. It is an old whaling village that still retains its old style charm. Most of what you want to see is right on Main Street or on some of the smaller side streets – all within walking distance. It is best to find parking and just walk around. To me, the walk itself is very soothing as the town is so quaint it makes the perfect escape from bustling New York City. There are great stores to do some shopping ranging from clothing to toys to surf shops and book stores to antiques and even art galleries; Sag Harbor offers something for everyone.